Vasundhararaje

Scion of the Gwalior royal family and former Union minister of state in the Vajpayee ministry, Vasundhararaje Scindia faces toughest challenge of her political career so far as she tries to oust Ashok Gehlot Government in Rajasthan as the state BJP chief.

Born on March 8, 1953 in Mumbai, the daughter of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia combines the glamour of the Gwalior nobility with individual charisma. She married former ruler of Dholpur, Hemant Singh, on Nov 17, 1972. This marriage is an additional factor that endears her to the local populace.

Starting with a series of 'yatras' across the state, the young and dynamic leader from royal family has made the contest very interesting, with many poll pundits giving BJP a little edge over Congress this time.

She represents Rajasthan's Jhalawar seat in Parliament. It was like a cakewalk yet again for her in 1999 Lok Sabha polls when she won for the fifth time from the constituency. However, the area is still considered one of the most backward in the state.

13 Oct. 1999-31 Aug, 2001: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Small Scale Industries, Department of Personnel and Training; Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space